Jalen Brunson and company help Knicks annihilate 76ers

Field Level Media|published: Fri 5th January, 22:26 2024

Jan 5, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) controls the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. credits: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Brunson scored 29 points, Quentin Grimes added 19 and Isaiah Hartenstein had 17 as the New York Knicks handily defeated the host Philadelphia 76ers 128-92 on Friday.

Miles McBride contributed 15 points, Donte DiVincenzo scored 14, OG Anunoby had 11 and Josh Hart had 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks, who won their third in a row.

Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 30 points and 10 rebounds, his 15th straight game hitting at least 30 and 10. Tyrese Maxey added 27 points and nine assists and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 15 points.

Tobias Harris scored only five points and was ruled out for the fourth quarter with a left ankle injury. The Sixers were already missing De'Anthony Melton with back soreness.

Embiid appeared to tweak his ankle in the opening minute and looked to be limping at times. He recently missed a four-game road trip with a sprained right ankle.

Philadelphia drew within 13 points with 11:06 left in the game before the Knicks went on a 21-1 run. Brunson hit a driving layup, Grimes then completed a three-point play and Hartenstein scored in the paint for a commanding 114-81 lead.

The Knicks led by as many as 39 points down the stretch.

Randle dropped in two free throws with 5:06 left in the second quarter for a 58-43 Knicks advantage. New York stayed aggressive and went ahead 64-47 with 3:16 remaining after Hartenstein ran the court and finished with a layup.

The Knicks received 21 points from Brunson and bolted to a 75-55 lead at halftime. It was the most points scored in an opening half all season by New York. The Knicks also made 13 shots from 3-point range, their most in any half this season.

Maxey led the Sixers with 20 and Embiid added 16.

The Knicks maintained a 20-point lead after DiVincenzo hit a 3-pointer with 8:30 left in the third.

Embiid accounted for eight straight Sixers points, but they still trailed 88-72 with 5:08 left. The Sixers then tightened defensively and closed within 12 after baskets by Danuel House Jr. and Embiid.

New York led 93-76 at the end of the third.

—Field Level Media

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